Releasable apparatus for retrieving subsurface well devices



Jam 229 i957 RELEASABLE APPARATUS FOR RETRIEVING SUBSURFACE WELL DEVICES Filed Oct. 12, 1953 R. C. BAKER ET AL WAZB 5 Sheets-Shei 1 Rez/@EN L) BA1/ 52,

MAQr//v B. CoA/@A05 INVENToRs.

BY 4% Mx im jam. 22, @957 R, C, BAKER ET AL 2,778,428

RELEASABLE APPARATUS FOR RETRIEVING SUBSURFACE WELL DEVICES Filed Oct. 12, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 r Rez/BEN C. Bnl/(EQ,

MART/N B. CoA/RAD,

NVENTORS.

TTOQNEYJ RELEASABLE APPARATUS FOR RETRIEVING SUBSURFACE WELL DEVICES Filed oct. 12, 1955 am 22, W57 R. c. BAKER ET AL I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 T roe/VE YS United States Patent RELEASABLE APPARATUS FOR RETRIEVING SUBSURFACE WELL DEVICES Reuben C. Baker, Coalinga, and Martin B. Conrad, Downey, Calif., assignors to Baker Gil Tools, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application Uctober 12, 1953, Serial No. 385,335

17 Claims. (Cl. 166-125) The present invention relates to subsurface well bore apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus useful in retrieving a device from a well bore.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved retrieving apparatus adapted to be coupled to a well device in a well bore for the purpose of moving the device to another well bore location, -or to completely remove it from the Well bore, the apparatus being releasable from the well device atany time at the will of the operator.

Another object of the invention is to provide an irnproved retrieving apparatus of the character indicated which is capable of effecting lowering of the well device in a Well bore, as well as its elevation therewithin.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved retrieving apparatus capable of being coupled automatically to a well bore device when lowered in the well bore and which is releasable hydraulically from the well device.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a retrieving apparatus capable of being coupled automatically to a well bore device when lowered in the well bore and which is positively locked to the device in response to an upward pull taken on the apparatus, to preclude inadvertent release of the apparatus from the well device.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide the combination of a well bore device and a retrieving apparatus for lowering and elevating the device in a Well bore, in which the apparatus may be coupled to the device at the will of the operator, and which apparatus can also be released from the device at any time at the will of the operator. The coupling and release of the device can be etfected repeatedly while the combination is in the well bore, if desired.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and

has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figures 1 and 1a together constitute a longitudinal section of apparatus embodying the invention, with the parts positioned for lowering the apparatus in a well casing, or similar conduit, Fig. la constituting a lower continuation of Fig. l;

Figs. 2 and 2a are views similar to Figs. l and la, disclosing the retrieving apparatus of the combination illustrated released from the well device therebelow;

Fig. 3 is a partial longitudinal section similar to Fig. 2a disclosing a particular well device to which the retrieving apparatus can be coupled, with its parts occupying another position in the well casing;

Figs. 4 and 4a are views similar to Figs. l andv la, illus- Y 2,778,428 Patented Jan. 22, 1957 trating the retrieving apparatus coupled to the well device therebelow;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section taken along the line 5-5 on Fig. 4; v

Fig. 6 is a cross-,section taken along the line 6 6 on Fig. la;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged partial longitudinal section of the retrieving device coupled to the well device therebelow, the parts occupying the position disclosed in Fig. 4.

The retrievable well packer or bridge plug A is adapted to be connected to a running-in and retrieving tool B, which, in turn, is connected to the lower end of a tubular string of drill pipe or tubing C, or to the lower end of another well tool (not shown), such as an upper retrievable packer adapted to be anchored to the well casing. The well packer A is run in the well casing D to the desired setting point, after which the retrieving tool B is disconnected therefrom and elevated from the well packer or plug A. The latter is then capable of being anchored in leakproof relation against the well casing to preclude longitudinal movement of the plug in both directions. Thereafter, if it is desired to release the tool A from the well casing and to remove it, the retrieving tool B is again connected to the bridging plug A, and the latter then moved longitudinally in the well casing in either an upward or a downward direction. During movement of the bridge plug in either'longitudinal direction in the well casing, uid is allowed to by-pass through the packer. However, following the release of the retrieving tool B from the packer, the by-pass passage is automatically closed.

As disclosed in the drawings, the bridge plug or well packer portion A of the apparatus includes a central coaxially disposed body 10 which, for purposes of convenience of manufacture and assembly of the apparatus, is made into several portions, including an upper body portion 11, the lower end :of which is threaded onto the upper end of a lower body portion 12. A set of upper segmental slips 13 is disposed around the packer body, these slips having upper head portions 14 whose inner surfaces 15 are inclined in a downward and inward direction for cooperation with companiontapered surfaces 16 on an upper expander 17 that is suitably secured to the body 10 of the tool. When the upper expander 17 is moved downwardly with the body 10 relative to the upper slips 13, the latter are urged in an outward direction to embed their wickers 18 into the Wall of the Well casing or conduit D, thereby anchoring the body 10 of the tool to the conduit against downward movement.

The upper expander 17 is prevented from moving longitudinally of the body 10 by having its lower smaller end engage a shoulder 19 on the body, with its upper end bearing againsta packing cup thimble 20 which receives the lower or base portion 21 of an upwardly facing packing cup 22, which may be made of rubber or rubber-like material. This cup has an upper lip portion 23 adapted to slidably seal against the wall of the well casing D, to prevent downward passage of iluid between the packing cup and the casing wall. Fluid is prevented from passing between the base portion 21 of the packing cup and the packer body 10 by a side seal ring 24tof rubber or rubber-like material in a groove 25 in the body adapted to bear against a metallic sleeve 26 secured in the base portion 21 of the packing cup. The packing member 22 itself is prevented from moving longitudinally with respect to the body 1t) by a clamp and valve cage device 27, the lower portion of which is threaded onto the upper end of the body '10 and bears against the base 21 of the packing cup, the latter, in turn, bearing Aagainst the thimble 20, which engages the upper expander 17 that, as previously described, has its lower portion engaging the body shoulder 19.

A set of lower segmental slips 2.8 also encompasses the body l0, these lower slips including lower head portions 29 whose inner surfaces 3@ taper in an upward and inward direction for cooperation with companion tapered surfaces 3l on a lower expander 32 that is secured to the body of the tool. The lower expander is prevented from moving longitudinally of the body 'by having its upper small end engage a shoulder 33 provided by the lower end of the upper body portion l1, and with its lower end engaging a lower thimble 34 surrounding the body and receiving the base portion 3S of a lower packing member 36, which is similar to the upper packingT member 22, although reversed in position on the body 1t) of the tool. This base portion 35 also carries a sleeve 37 adapted toV seal against a rubber or rubber-like seal ring 3 8 carried in a ring groove 39 in the periphery of the body, to prevent fluid leakage between the packing and the body. The packing 36 faces in a downward direction and has its lower lipy portion 46 adapted to slidably seal against the wall of the well f casing D, to prevent upward passage of fluid between the p acking and the well casing. In a manner similar to the upper packing 22, the lower packing device is prevented from moving longitudinally on the body l()v by a lower retainer and valve cage 41 threaded onto the lowermost portion of the lower body member 12 and bearing against the base 3S of the packing, clamping the latter against its thimble 34, which, in turn, engages the lower end of the lower expander 32 that is prevented from moving upwardly by the body shoulder 33. lf desired, the expander 32 may be further secured to the body 1t) by one or more screws 42.

When the body l@ of the tool and the lower expander 32 move upwardly with respect to the lower set of slips 2S, the lower expander will shift the lower slips laterally outward, to embed their wickers 43 into anchoring engagement in the wall of the well casing D, thereby preventing the tool from being moved upwardly within the well casing. The lower packing 36 will prevent iluid from passing in an upward direction between the body 16B, of the tool and the well casing D.

Relative longitudinal movement between the body 10 and the expanders 17, 32 mounted thereon, on the one hand, and the sets of upperl and lower slips 13, 28, on the other hand, is secured by resisting the longitudinal movement of the slips through the provision of a drag device. This drag device includes longitudinally extending drag blocks ill circumferentially spaced from one another and slidably mounted in longitudinal grooves 45 in a slip and drag block housing 46 slidable 4along the periphery of the body lil of the tool. The dragblocks 45 are urged outwardly into frictional engagement with the wall of the well casing D by a plurality of helical compression springs i7 received within internal sockets 48 in each drag block and bearing against the bases of f the sockets 4S and also against the bases i9 of the conning housing grooves 45. Outward movement of the drag blocks t is limited by the engagement of their upper and lowerl terminal portions 5h with upper and lower stop rings S1 secured to the housing in any suitable manner, as through use of the screws 52 attaching the rings to the housing 46. I

Both the upper and lower sets of slips i3, 28 are secured to the housing 46, in order that the drag blocks 44 will resist their movement within the well casing, and enable the body 1Q and the upper and lower expanders 17, 32 to be shifted longitudinally with respect thereto. Thus, thel upper slips 13 have depending arms 53 terminating in inwardly directed flanges 54 received within a circumferential groove 55 provided in the midportion of the housing 46 between the circumferentially spaced drag blocks 44. Each slip segment structure is provided with a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending slots extending throughout substantially its .entire length to a region adjacent the ange 54, so that the arms 53 are flexible and will allow the slips to be deflected in an outward direction into engagement with the wall of the well casing D. The ange portions 54 of the slips themselves are prevented from coming out of their companion groove by an arcuate holding device 57 disposed across the ange portion 54 and secured to the slip and drag block housing 46 by one or more screws 58.

The lower set of slips 28 is attached to the housing 46 in the same manner as the upper set of slips 13, this lower set of slips having upper inwardly directed flanges 54 received within arcuately spaced grooves SS in the housing between the drag blocks d4, and retained therein by the same slip holder 57 that maintains the upper slip anges 54 in their grooves. The lower slips 23 are also provided with longitudinal slots from a region adjacent their flange portion 54 to the lower end ot the slips, to provide the flexible or spring-like arm 53a that will enable the head portion 29 of the slips to be expanded laterally outward into anchoring engagement with the well casing D.

The drag block stop rings 51 are, spaced laterally outward away from the slip arms 53, 53a a sulicient distance to allow the heads 14, 29 of the slips i3, 28 to move without restraint laterally into engagement with the well casing. The slips themselves normally tendA to remain in an inward direction because of the spring characteristics of the arm portions 53, 53a. However, assurance is` hadv that the slips are held in a retracted position when they are not to be expanded outwardly into engagement with the well casing by providing slip retainer and retractor rings 60, 6l for the upper and lower setsv of slips 13', 28. Thus, a ring 60 can be disposed around the shoulder portions 62 of the upper set of slips 13 which interconnect the head and arm portions 13, 53, the shoulder portions being thicker in radial dimension than the arm portions, their outer surfaces being adapted to engage the ring 60, which will prevent the wickers 1S of the head 14 from moving into engagement with the casing wall. The shoulder portions 62 are interconnected with the arm portions 53 by the tapered surfaces 63, which are capable of engaging the upper end of the ring 6G in order to urge the slip heads 14 in an inward direction.

The retainer and retractor ring 6i) is supported in position by a plurality oflongitudinally extending bars 64 disposed between the slip segments 13, their lower ends being welded, to the upper end of the ring 6d and their upper portions being clamped between the upper expander 17 and upper thirnble 2d, the upper portions of the bars being prevented from disconnecting from the upper expander by a holding ring 65' encompassing the bars and suitably secured to the expander, as by one or more screws.

The lower set of slips 28 is similarly held in its retracted position against inadvertent outward movement by a lower retainer and retractor ring 61 encompassing the enlarged shoulder-portions 67 of the lower slip, the lower end of this ring being engageable with the tapered surfaces 68V on the slip segments interconnecting the shoulders 67 and the arm portions 53a, to urge the lower slip heads 29 inwardly away from engagement with the casing, in the mannerclescribed hereinbelow. The lower ring 61 is held in appropriate position by a plurality of circumferentially spaced and longitudinally extending bars 69-V welded, or otherwise suitably secured, to the lower end of the ring 61, the bars being clamped between the lower expander 32 and the'lowerthimble 34, being held in appropriate position on the lower expander by an encompassing holding ring 7tl-secured to the lower expander by one or more screws 71. As is true of the upper sets of slips 13, thev lower stop ring 5l iS Spned Sliciently away'froln the lower slip 53a. to. avoid t nterterence with. the lateral outward movement er the lower slips 28 into engagement with the well casing D.

Since the drag blocks 44 are resisting longitudinal movement of the upper fand lower setsl of slips-13, 28 in the Well casing, relative longitudinal movement of the body itl and the upper and lower expanders 17, 32 c011- nected thereto will expand either the upper or the lower slips into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing, depending upon the direction of longitudinal movement of the tbody and the expanders 17, 32. Thus, should Athe body and the expanders be moved downwardly, then the upper expander 17 will be moved down within the upper slips 13, shifting the latter radially outward into anchoring engagement with the well casing, these slips, in effect, bending or rocking about their lower llange portion 54. It is to be noted that when the upper slip heads 14 are in their retracted position, the tapered slip surfaces 15 are not parallel to the expander surface 16 but' make an acute angle with respect thereto. The difference in inclination is provided so that when the slips 13 are rocked outwardly into engagement with the well casing the surfaces 15, 16 are substantially parallel, enabling the expander surface 16 -to make full bearing engagement against the slip surfaces 15, as is evident from an inspection of Fig. 2a.

Tl e relative downward movement `of the body 10 and expanders 17, 52 with respect to the slips will anchor the upper slips 13 against the well casing. However, the lower slips 28 will still remain lin a retracted position, since the lower expander 32 is merely moved downwardly away from the lower slips. On the other hand, should the body 1li be moved inan upward direction, then the body and expanders 17, 32 will be shifted upwardly with respect to the slips, the upper expander 17 moving out of wedging engagement within Ithe upper slips 13, this upward movement causing the retractor ring 60 to engage the tapered slip surface 63, to insure the inward movement of the slip heads 14 out of engagement with the well casing, the ring 6l) moving at least slightly `over the shoulder portion 62 to retain the slips13 in this retracted position.

The upward movement of the lower epxander 32 will move the lower retainer and retractor ring 61 out of a position to engage the lower slip shoulders 67, whereupon the lower expander 32 can be wedged upwardly within the lower slips 28 to urge the latter radially outward into engagement with the wall of the well casing. As is true of the upper expander 17 and upper slips 13, rthe tapered surfaces 3?., 3d on the lower expander 32 and lower slips 23 are not parallel to one another when the lower slips are in retracted position, the surfaces making an acute angle with respect to each other. But when the lower expander 32 moves upwardly Within the lower slips 28, the latter are rocked or pivoted about their lange portions 54 outwardly against the casing D, in which position their tapered surfaces 3d will be substantially parallel to the lower expander tapered surface 31 to insure full bearing engagement between the expander 32 and slips 28.

lt is, therefore, apparent -that when the body 10 and expanders 17, 32 are moved in a downward direction that the upper slip retainer 6i) is moved out of its holding position with respect to the upper slips 13, but the lower slip retainer 61 remains in its holding position with respect to the shoulders 67 of the lower slips 28, the upper expander 17 then shifting the slips 13 outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing. Con versely, upon upward movement of the body 1lb and the exp-anders 17, 32 the upper retractor ring 60 moves in a position to urge and hold the upper slip heads 14 ink a retracted position, the lower retainer ring 61 being shifted upwardly by the lower expander out of holding engagement with the lower slips 2d, whereupon the lower expander 32 can be wedged upwardly within the lower slip heads 29, to urge them laterally outward into anchoring engagement with the Wallof the well casing D.

The ability of either the upper or the lower sets of slips to be moved in a lateral outward direction depends upon the relative longitudinal movement of the body and expanders with respect to the slips. Such relative longitudinal movement is prevented until itis desired to secure an anchoring of the packer or plug in the well casing. As disclosed in the drawings, the slip and ydrag block housing 46 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed longitudinal slots 73 in its inner wall in which the outer ends of a dat cross-piece or bar 74 are received, such outer ends of this bar being adapted to engage the lower ends 73a `of the slots or the upper ends 73b of the slots. This cross-piece 7dr extends through diametrically opposite longitudinal slots 75 in the body in alignment with the housing slots 73, but having a greater length than the housing slots. v

The cross-piece 74 also extends through a transverse slot 76 in a control rod 77 extending completely through the packer bo-dy 1li, This control rod has an upper reduced diameter portion 78 slidable through the transverse portion 79 ofthe upper valve cage 27. It also has a lower reduced diameter portion Si) slidable through the lower transverse portion 81 of the lower valve cage 41. Thus, the valve cages 27, 41 retain the control rod 77 coaxially of the body lil of the tool, while permitting the rod 77 to slide longitudinally in an upward or downward direction relative to the body itl of the tool. The main intermediate portion of the control rod 77, through which the crosspiece "le extends, has a diameter substantially less than the inside diameter of the body llltl, to afford ample passage area for the flow of iluid through the body, as described hereinbelow.

When the control rod 77 is shifted downward with respect to the body, the cross-piece 74 will engage the lower ends 73a of the housing slots 73 and will shift the housing 46 in a downward direction along the body '10 a cornparatively short distance, until the cross-piece engages the lower ends 75a of the body slots. The distance that the slip and drag block housing 46 is thus moved in a downward direction along the body 10 is comparatively short, the parts being so proportioned that the drag block housing 46 and the slips 13, 28 connected vthereto are disposed in substantially a central position between the upper and lower expanders 17, 32. Thus, with the cross-piece 74 engaging the lower ends 75a, 73a fof the body slots 75 and the housing slots 73, downward movement of the control i. rody 77 will carry the body 10 and the drag block housing 46 downward as a unit, so that there is no relative downward movement of the upper and lower expanders 17, 32 with respect to the upper and lower slips 13, 28, the latter remaining in their neutral position, such as disclosed in Fig. la. Similarly, in the event the control rod 77 is moved upwardly within the body, the upper ends of the cross-piece y74 will engage lthe upper ends 75l), 73b of the body slots 75 and the housing slots 73, further upward movement of the control rod then carrying the body 10 and housing 46 upwardly as a unit with it, the body being prevented from moving upwardly relative to the housing 46, which would result (if it could occur) in upward movement of the lower expander 32 within the lower slips 2S and anchoring engagement of the latter with the wall of the well casing. y

When the cross-piece 74 is placed in an intermediate position within the housing and body slots 73, 75, then the body 10, and the upper and lower expanders 17, 32 connected thereto, can move selectively in an upward or a downward direction with respect to the housing 46 and the upper and lower slips 13, 28 connected thereto. When there is no upward or downward directed force imposed on the control rod 77 tending to shift its cross-piece 74 either down within the body and housing slots 75, 73 or upward therewithin, the control rod 77 and its cross-piece are disposed in a central position with respect to the slots, such as disclosed in Figs. 2a and 3. Such central disposition is provided by upper and lower springs 85, 86. The springs not only are utilized to locate the control rod 77 in a central position, but they are also availed of to 7 deter-mine theV open or closed position of the passage 87 through` the Apacker or bridge plug body.

TheV upper helical compression spring 85 is disposed on the upper reduced diameter portion 78 of the control rod, this spring engaging the upper valve cage 27 and also an upper valve head 3S which is slidable in a downward direction along the reduced diameter portion 7S of the control rod into engagement with a valve seat 89 provided within the upper portion of the tool body 10. Thus, the spring S tends to urge the valve head 88 downwardly, so that its cylindrical portion 83u is disposed within the upper valve seat $9, as determined by engagement of the valve head stop flange 90 with the upper end 91 of the body 10. The valve head 88 is provided with a suitable rubber or rubber-like side seal ring 92 in a peripheral ring groove 93 engageable with the cylindrical valve seat portion 89 of the body of the tool. Leakage of iuid between the control rod 73 and the valve head 88 is prevented by a ro'd packing ring 94 dis posed in an internal groove 95 in the valve head and engaging theA periphery of the rod 78.

A lower valve device is also provided, including a lower valve head 96 urged in an upward direction into sealing engagement with a cylindrical valve seat 97 provided at the lower end of the packer body l0. The helical compression spring 86 surrounds the lower reduced diameter portion 80 of the control rod, its lower end bearing against the lower transverse portion 81 of the valve Cage 41 and its upper end against the valve head 96, urging the latter in an upward direction to shift it within the lower cylindrical valve seat 97, as determined by engagement of a liange 98 on the valve head with the lower end 99 of the body itl. Leakage of fluid between the head 96 and the cylindrical valve seat 97 is prevented by a side seal ring 199 mounted in a peripheral groove 161 in the valve head and adapted to sealingly engage the valve seat 97. Leakage of uid between the lower reduced diameter rod portion 80 and the lower valve head 96 is prevented by providing a rod packing ring 192 -in an internal groove 193 in the valve head slidably and sealingly engaging the control rod 80.

The upper valve head S8 can be urged downwardly by the upper spring S5, not only to shift the upper valve head into sealing engagement with the upper valve seat 89, but also to engage the valve head 88 with an upper shoulder 1&4 formed on the control rod between its upper 78 and central portions, and tending to shift the control rod 77 in a downward direction. Similarly, the lower spring S6 urges the lower valve 96 in an upward direction toward a position of engagement with its valve seat 97,

this lower valve head being adapted to engage a lower downwardly directed shoulder 105 formed between the intermediate portion of the rod 77 and its lower reduced diameter portion Sti', tending to elevate the rod 77 within the packer body 10. When the rod 77 is unrestrained by external forces, the springs 85, 86 will shift the valve heads into engagement with their seats, the heads 88, 96 engaging the rod shoulders 194, S and disposing the rod in a central position, in which the cross-piece 74 is located approximately midway within the body and housing slots '75, 73, to allow the body 10 to be shifted longitudinally relative to the slip and drag block housing 46 and the upper and lower slips 13, 2S.

Although the springs 85, 86 and valve heads 88, 96 are effective to center the control rod 77, in the manner described above, through engagement with the rod shoulders 164', 105, the latter are effective to engage the valve heads SS, l96 and hold them in open positions. Thus, a downward force imposed on the control rod 77 will cause 'the lower shoulder 105 to engage the lower head 96 and shift it od its Vseat 97 to openposition. Similar'ly, an upwardly directed force imposed on the control red f7 will stifrthe'upper shoulder los into engagement with the upper Vvalve'head "8S, yto move it out of engage- :garages 8 ment with. its valve seat @i9V against the force of the spring-85. i

The springsl S5, S6 are cooperable. with their respective valve heads 88, 96 to shift the latter to valve closing position. However, thev fluid pressure within the tool is effective to shift each valve head against the force of its associated spring to open position, during the actual elevating or llowering of the tool in 'the well casing, in the manner described hereinbelow.

The parts are so proportioned and arranged with respect to one another that during the lowering of the control rod 77 with respect to the body 10 the cross-piece 74 is not only placed in a position of engagement with the lower ends of the body slots 75 and housing slots 73, to prevent the slips 13, 28 from being expanded against the well casing, but the lower rod shoulder engages the lower valve head 96 to move and hold it off its valve seat 97, thereby allowing fluid to ow upwardly through the valve cage 41 in'to the body 10, passing upwardly through the body passage 87 and around the rod 77, the pressure of the fluid bearing against the upper valve vhead 8 and shifting it to open position from its valve seat 89 against the force of the spring 85, this uid then passing outwardly through the upper valve cage 27 for discharge into the well casing D above the packer A.

When the control rod 77 is moved in an upward direction, the upper shoulder 104 engages the upper valve head 38 to positively hold it ofiC its seat 89. When this occurs, 'the lower shoulder 105 has been elevated considerably above the -lower valve head 96. However, any fluid flowing relatively downwardly around the upper valve head 88 and into the body passage 87 will engage the lower valve head 96 and unseat it against the force of its spring 86, the uid discharging through the lower valve cage 41 into the casing D below the well tool. When an external force is removed from the control rod 77, then, as stated above, the springs 85, 86 are effective to engage both of the valve heads 88, 96 with their seats 89, 97, and to shift the control rod 77 to the neutral position within the body and housing slots 75, 73, thereby preventing passage of fluid in both directions through the body 10 of the well packer.

The control rod 77 is shifted downward or upward with respect to the body 10 of the tool because of the frictional resistance offered by the packing cups 22, 36 against the wall of the well casing. If such frictional resistance is insufficient, then it may be supplemented by a guide and drag spring 11G, which is secured to the lower cage il by a retaining ring 111 attached to the cage by one or more screws 112, the spring being bowed in an outward direction to frictionally engage the wall of the well casing D. The spring 110 and the upper and lower packing cups 22, 36 tend to resist longitudinal movement ofthe body 10 in the well casing, allowing the control rod 77 to be shifted in both an upward and a downward direction with respect to the body.

In the operation and use of the well packer bridge plug in a conduit string, such as a well casing, the tool A is inserted-in the well casing D and a downward force imposed on the control rod 77 to push the tool down the casing. rod 77 'in a downward direction, to cause its lower shoulder 195 to unseat the lower. valve head 96 and to locate the cross-piece or bar 74 in its lowermost position within the housing and body slots 73, 75, which locates the upper and lower slips 13, 28 in a neutral position with respect to the upper and lower expanders 17, 32. Downward movement of the control rod 77, acting through the cross-piece 74, then causes the rod 77, body 10 and slip and drag block housing 46 to move down as a unit through the well casing D, the slips 13, 28 remaining in their neutral position (Figs. l and la). Duringsuch downward movement, the fluid in the well casing can b' ass around "the 'packing structures Z2, 36 by owing'npwa'rdty 'through lthe open lower 'valve seat 97 Such downward force at first shifts the control into the body 10, the iluid pushing the uppervalve head 88 in an upward direction to open position against the force of the upper spring 8:'5, and then passing out of the packer through openings in the upper valve cage 27.

The downward movement continues until the loca, tion in the well casing D is reached at which the toolv A is to be anchored. During all of such downward movement, it is evident that the upper expander 17 is incapable of expanding the upperslips 13 against the well casing. When the setting location is reached, the downward force on the control rod '/7 is released, the springs S5, S6 then shifting both the upper and lowervalveheads 88, 96 to closed position, to close the body against fluid passage in either direction, the lower valve head 96 engaging the control rod shoulder llS to shift the cross-piece 74 to a neutral position.

Assuming that pressure is then imposed in the well casing D above the bridge plug A (see Figs. 2 and 2a), such pressure will then act down across the upper packing 22, as well as across the area of the body 10 and the upper valve head S8, shifting the body 10 and all' parts connected thereto, which includes the upper expander 17,

in a downward direction relative to the slips 13, 28,v

which do not move downwardly because of the frictional resistance against the well casing atorded by the drag blocks dfi. The upper expander 17 is then shifted within the upper slips 13 to expand the latter outwardly into anchoring engagement with the well casing. As explained aoove, the slip retainer and retractor ring 60 is shifted out of its holding position with respect to the slips 13 to allow them to move in an outward direction into anchoring engagementl withthe well casing. Thus, the packing v22E prevents fluid passage between the body l0 of the tool and the well casing D, the upper valve head S3 prevents downward passage of luid through the valve body l0, and the upper expander 17 and upper slips 13 prevent downward movement vof the yentire tool A in the well casing D. 1

lf a pressure differential is present belowl the well packer instead of above it, as has just beenk assumed, then the fluid under pressure will act in an upward direction on the lower packing 36, the body 10 of the tool and lower valve head 96, shifting thepacking 36 and the body 1t), as well as all parts connected thereto, including the lower expander 32, in an upward direction with respect tothe drag housing 46 and the slips 13, 28 (see Fig. 3). The lower expander 32 will then be moved up within the lower slips 2.3 to shift the latterv outwardly into position between the upper and lower expanders l17, 32,

and hold them in that position `during upward movementk connects the control rod 77 to the body lil and the housing 46. This position is disclosed in Fig. 4a. During such upward movement, the upper shoulder 164 engages the upper valve head 88 and holds it off its seat S9, the fluid being allowed to pass downwardly into ythe body 10 of the tool to unseat the lower valve head 96 against the force of its spring 86 yfor discharge through the openings inthe lower valve cage 41. The tool A may then be elevated to a higher position in the well casing and the force on the control rod 77 again released, to allow the well packer to set itself in leakproof condition against the well casing. Of course,` the tool could also be lowered in the well casing to another location, the downward force on the control rod 77 then being released to 'allow the well packer A to anchor itself in the well casing.

From the foregoing description, it is apparentthat a well packer or bridgek plug has been provided which is capable of being anchored in a well casing, or similar well conduit, against movement in both longitudinal directions, and which can be released for the purpose'of being reset at either a higher or a lower position in the wellv casing, or to be removed entirely therefrom. The tool is simple in its operation and has a minimum of moving parts. The slips themselves are either retracted or expanded, the slips moving between retracted and expanded positions as a `result of a rocking or swinging motionl about their anchoring points to the drag blocl;

anchoring engagement with the well casing. The firstA l portion of the upward movement of the body 10 and lower expander 32 removes the lower slip retainer and drag ring 61 from their confining position around the lower slip shoulders 67, in order to allow the lower slips 23 to expand outwardly. Such upward movement of the body 10 also shifts the upper expander 17 out of wedging engagement with the upper slips 13, and causes the upper slip retainer and retractor ring 'to engage the tapered surfaces 63 interconnecting the shoulders 62 and arms 53, tor urge the slip heads 14 inwardly to their retracted position. i

Thus, it is apparent that once the force on thecontrol rod 77 has been removed the pressure in the well casing D itself is effective to prevent either downward ork upward movement of the plug A ,therewithim depending upon the direction in which this pressure is acting.

in the event it is desired to release the tool A and move it to a dilferent location in the well casing D, or remove it entirely from the well casing, a suitable mechanism is provided which becomes coupled to the control v rod 77, allowing the latter to be moved in an upward direction within and with respect to the packer body 10.`

The cross-piece 74 is thus moved upwardly into engagement with the upper ends 75b, 73b of the body and housing slots 75, 73 (Figs- 4 and 4a), which will veffec-` tively plaoe the housing 46 and slips 13, 28 ,in va neutral housing 46. That is to say, the slips do not move in comparatively straight-line fashion between retracted and expanded positions, but are rocked or pivoted between those positions.

' The tool may be run in the well 'casings by any suitable mechanism and it may also be retrieved therefrom by any lsuitable mechanism, such as a releasing device or overshot. A particular form of releasing and running-in device B is shown in the drawings.

The releasable device B for running-in the bridge plug in the well casing and for retrieving it therefrom, specifically disclosed in the drawings, includes an outer housing or cylinder 12h threaded onto a sub lll which is, in turn, threaded into a collar 122 secured -onthe lower end of the tubular'string C. The cylinder 1.2% has a depending wash-over sleeve 123 secured to it to facilitate the location of the overshot or retrieving apparatus centrally with respect to 'the' bridge plug A. The lower portion of the wash-over sleeve 123 can encompass the upper valve cage 27, and will tend to centraline the housing or cylinder 1.2i? with respect to the `con-trol rod 7'? to which theretrieving and running-in device E is actually to -be associated. Y 'l vThe control rod 77 extends upwardly to a substantial extent above the upper valve cage 27, being provided with an upper head 124 extending outwardly from the reduced diameter portion 78 of the control. head kto form an outwardly directed shoulder 125 to be engaged by the inward nose portions l26 vof latch members or latch means i127' carried lby anannular piston 128 sli-dable in the cylinder 12d, and` also along a mandrel 129 threaded'into the lower end `of the tubular sub lill. rl`he mandrel 129 actuallyydenes an' annularcylinder space 13@ with the housing 1Z0. Leakage along the inner and outer walls j provide a stop shoulder 132 engageable with a comvpariion stop shoulder 133 on the mandrel 129. The piston is normally urged in a downward direction by a helical compression spring 134 encompassing the mandrel 129, withvits lower portion engaging thepiston 1,28 and its string to be lowered in the well bore and to be disposed over the device; latch means carried by said member and adapted to be coupled to the device; means for moving said latch means longitudinally of said member in one direction; said member having a surface thereon engaged by said latch means when moved in said one direction to shift said latch means laterally inward toward a position to be coupled to the device; and duid pressure operated means for moving said latch means longitudinally of said member in the opposite direction to allow said latch means to shift laterally outward of the device to a position uncoupled from the device.

2. In apparatus for retrieving -a device from a well bore: a member adapted to be connected to a running-in string to be lowered in the well bore and to be disposed over the device; latch means carried by said member and adapted to be coupled to the device; means for moving said latch means longitudinally of said member in one direction; said member having a iirst surface thereon engaged by said latch means when moved in said one .direction to shift said latch means laterally inward toward a position to be coupled to the device; said member having a second surface thereon engaged by said latch means to hold said latch means coupled to the device; and means for moving said latch means longitudinally of said member in the opposite direction to allow said latch means to shift laterally outward of the device to a position uncoupled from the device.

3. In apparatus for retrieving a device from a well bore: a member adapted to be connected to a tubular string to be lowered in the well bore and to be disposed over the device; latch means carried by said member and adapted to be coupled to the device; means for moving said latch means longitudinally of said member in one direction; said member having a surface thereon engaged by said latch means when moved in said one direction to shift said latch means laterally inward toward a position to be coupled to the device; and hydraulic means responsive to uid pressure in the tubular string for moving said latch means longitudinally of said member in the opposite direction to allow said latch means to shift laterally outward of the device to a position uncoupled from the device.

4. In apparatus for retrieving a device from av well bore: a member adapted to be connected to a tubular string to be lowered in the well bore and to be disposed over the device; latch means carried by said member and adapted to be coupled to the device; means for moving said latch means longitudinally of said member in one direction; said member having a first surface thereon engaged by said latch means when moved in said one direction to shift said latch means laterally inward toward a position to be coupled to the device; said member having a second surface thereon engaged by said latch means to hold said latch means coupled to the device; and hydraulic means responsive to fluid pressure in the tubular string for moving said latch means longitudinally of said member in the opposite direction to allow said latch means to shift laterally outward of the device to a vposition uncoupled from the device.

5. In apparatus for retrieving a device from a Well bore: inner and outer cylinder members spaced laterally from eachother to form an annular cylinder space and adapted to be coupled to a tubular string to be lowered 'in a well bore adjacent the device; a piston slidable in said annular cylinder space; latch means connected to said piston and adapted to be coupled to 'the device; means engaging said piston for moving said piston and latch means longitudinally of said cylinder members in one direction said outer member having a rst surface thereon engaged by said latch means when moved in said 14 tudinally of said cylinder in the opposite direction to allow said latch means to shift laterally outward of the device to a position uncoupled from the device.

6. In apparatus for retrieving a device from a well bore: inner and outer cylinder members spaced laterally from each other to form anl .annular cylinder space and adapted to be coupled to a tubular string to be lowered in a well bore adjacent the device; a piston slidable in said annular cylinder space; latch means connected to said piston and adapted to be coupled to the device; means engaging said piston for moving said piston and latch means longitudinally of said cylinder members in one direction; said outer member having a rst surface thereon engagedA by said latch means when moved in said one direction to shift said latch means laterally inward toward a position to be coupled to the device; said outerV adapted to be coupled to a tubular string to be lowered in a well bore adjacent the device; a piston slidable in said -annular cylinder space; latch`means connected to said piston and adapted to be coupled to the device; means engaging said piston for moving said piston and latch means longitudinally of said cylinder members in one direction; said outer member having a first surface thereon engaged by said latch means when moved in said one direction to shift said latch means laterally inward toward a position to be coupled to the device; means for directing fluid under pressure from the tubular string to said piston to move said piston and latch means longitudinally of'said cylinder members in the opposite direction to allow said latch means to shift laterally outward of the device to a position uncoupled from the device; and means on said inner cylinder member engageable with said latch means to shift said latch means laterally outward upon longitudinal movement of said latch means in said opposite direction.

8. In apparatus for retrieving a device from a well bore:` inner and outer cylinder members spaced laterally from eachother to form an annular cylinder space' and adapted to be coupled to ka tubular string to be lowered in a well bore adjacent the device; a piston slidable in said annular cylinder space; latchmeans connected to said piston and adapted to be coupled to the device; means engaging said piston for moving said piston and latch lmeans longitudinally of said cylinderV members in one direction; one of said members having a'surface thereon engaged by said latch means when moved in said one direction to shift said latch means laterally in one direction toward a position to be coupled to the device; andV means for directing iluid under pressure from the tubular string to said piston to move said piston and latch means longitudinally of said cylinder members in the opposite direction to allow said latch means to shift laterally 1in the opposite direction to a position uncoupled from the device.l g

9. In apparatus for retrieving a device from .a well bore: inner and outer cylinder members spaced laterally from each other to form an annular cylinder space and adapted to be coupled to a tubular string to be lowered in a well bore adjacent the device; a piston slidable in said annular cylinder space; latch means connected to said piston and adapted to be coupled to the device; means engaging said piston for moving said piston and latch means longitudinally of said cylinder members in one direction; one of said members having a surface arreglos thereon engaged by said latch means when moved in said one direction to shift said latch means laterally in one direction toward a position to be coupled to the device; means for directing fluid under pressure from the tubular string to said piston to move said piston and latch means longitudinally of said cylinder members in the opposite direction to allow said latch means to shift laterally in the opposite direction to a position uncoupled from the device; and means on said other member engageable with said latch means to shift said latch means laterally in said opposite direction.

10. In apparatus for retrieving a device from a well bore: supporting means adapted to be connected to a tubular string to be lowered in a Well bore adjacent the device; hydraulically operable means slidable along said supporting means; latch means connected to said hydrau` lically operable means and adapted to be coupled to the device; means engaging said hydraulically operable means for moving said hydraulically operable means and latch means longitudinally of said supporting means in one direction; said supporting means having a surface thereon engaged by said latch means when moved in said one direction to shift said latch means laterally in one direction toward a position to be coupled to the device; and

means for directing fluid under pressure from the tubular string to said hydraulically operable means to move said hydraulically operable means and latch means longitudinally of said supporting means in the opposite direction to allow said latch means to shift laterally in the opposite direction to a position uncoupled from the device.

l1. In apparatus for retrieving a device from a well bore: supporting means adapted to be connected to a tubular string to be lowered in ,a well bore adjacent the device; hydraulically operable means slidable along said supporting means; latch means connected to said hydraulically operable means and adapted to be Coupled to the device; means engaging said hydraulically operable means for moving said hydraulically operable means and latch means longitudinally of said supporting means in one direction; said supporting means having a surface thereonv engaged by said latch means when moved in said one direction to shift said latch means laterally in one direction toward a position to be coupled to the device; means for directing uid under pressure from the tubular string to said hydraulically operable means to move said hydraulically operable means and latch means longitudinally of said supporting means in the opposite direction to allow said latch means to shift laterally in the opposite direction to a position uncoupled from the device; and means on said supporting means engageable with said latch means to shift said latch means laterally in said opposite direction.

12. In apparatus for retrieving a device from a well bore: inner and outer cylinder members spaced laterally from each other to form an annular cylinder space and adapted to be coupled to a tubular string to be lowered in a well bore adjacent the device; a piston slidable in said annular cylinder space; latch means connected to said piston and adapted to be coupled to the device; means engaging said piston for moving said piston and llatch means downwardly of said cylinder members; said outer member having a surface thereon inclined in a downward and inward direction and engaged by said latch means when moved downwardly of said cylinder mei ibers to shift said latch means laterally inward toward a lposition to be coupled to the device; and means for directing iiuid under pressure from the tubular string to` said piston to move said piston and latch means upwardly of said cylinder members to allow said latch means to shift laterally outward of the device to a position uncoupled from the device.

13. In apparatus for retrieving a device from a well bore: innerand outer cylinder members spaced-laterally from each other to form an annular cylinder space and adapted to be coupled to a tubular string to be lowered in a well bore adjacent the device; a piston slidable in said annular cylinder space; latch means connected to said piston and adapted to be coupled to the device; means `engaging said piston for moving said piston and latch means downwardly of said cylinder members; said outer member having a lirst surface thereon inclined in a downward and inward direction and engaged by said latch means when moved downwardly of said cylinder members to shift said latch means laterally inward toward a position to be coupled to the device; said outer member having a second surface thereon inclined in a downward and inward direction engaged by said latch means to hold said latch means coupled to the device; and means for directing duid under pressure from the tubular string to said piston to move said piston and latch means upwardly of said cylinder members to allow said latch means to shift laterally outward of the device to a position uncoupled from the device.

14. ln combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore and having an upper head provided with a surface converging in an upward and inward direction and a downwardly facing shoulder below said surface; a member adapted to be connected to a running-in string to be lowered in the well bore and to be disposed over the device; latch means carried by said member `and adapted to engage said tapered head surface to be urged laterally outward of said head and to be disposed under said shoulder in engagement therewith to be coupled to the device; means for moving said latch means longitudinally of said member in one direction; said member having a surface thereon engaged by said latch means when moved in said one direction to shift said latch means laterally inward toward a position under said shoulder whereby said latch means engages said shoulder when moved upwardly with respect thereto; and means for moving said latch means longitudinally of said member in the opposite direction to allow said latch means to shift laterally outward out of engagement with said shoulder to a position uncoupled from the device.

15. In combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore and having a head provided with an upwardly converging surface and a shoulder vbelow said surface; inner and outer cylinder members spaced laterally from each other to form an annular cylinder space and adapted to be coupled to a tubular string to be lowered in a well bore adjacent the device; a piston slidable in said annular cylinder space; latch means connected to said piston and adapted to engage said tapered head surface to be urged laterally outward of the head and to be disposed under said shoulder to engage said shoulder and thereby to be coupled to the device; means engaging said piston for moving said piston and latch vmeans downwardly of said cylinder members; said `outer member having a surface inclined in a downward and inwarddirection engaged by said latch means `when moved downwardly of said cylinder members to shift said 'latch means laterally inward toward a position under s aid shoulder to engage said shoulder and be coupled tothe device; and means for directing iiuid under pressure from the tubular string to said piston to move said pistonand latch means upwardly of said cylinder members to allow said latch means to shift laterally outward of the shoulder to a position uncoupled from the shoulder and device.

16. ln combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore and having a head provided with an upwardly converging surface and a shoulder below said surface; inner and outer cylinder members spaced laterally from each other to form an annular cylinder yspace and adapted to be coupled to a tubular string to be lowered in a well bore adjacent the device; a piston slidable in said annular cylinder space; latch means connected to said piston and adapted to engage :said tapered y head surface to be urged laterally outward of the head ,and to be disposed under said shoulder to engage said shoulder and thereby to be coupled to the device; means engaging said piston for moving said piston and latch means downwardly of said cylinder members; said outer member having a surface inclined in a downward and inward direction engaged by said latch means when moved downwardly of said cylinder members to shift said latch means laterally inward toward a position under said shoulder to engage said shoulder and be coupled to the device; means for directing uid under pressure from the tubular string to said piston to move said piston and latch means upwardly of said cylinder members to allow said latch means to shift laterally outward of the shoulder to a position uncoupled from the shoulder and device; and coengaging means on said outer member and device to transmit downward movement of said outer member to said device.

17. In apparatus for retrieving a device from a well bore: a member adapted to be connected to a running-in string to be lowered in the well bore and to be disposed over the device; latch means carried by said member and adapted to be coupled to the device; means for moving said latch means downwardly of said member; said member having a surface thereon engaged by said latch means when moved downwardly of said member to shift said latch means laterally inward toward a position to' be coupled to the device; means for moving said latch means upwardly of said member to allow said latch means to shift laterally outward of the device to a position uncoupled from the device; and means on said member below said latch means engageable with the device to force the device downwardly in the well bore.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,707,072 Black Mar. 26, 1929 1,728,781 Cameron Sept. 17, 1929 1,823,340 Vance Sept. 15, 1931 2,123,036 Rozeman July 5, 1938 

